Diabetic Retinopathy

Patients with diabetes should have a yearly eye examination to screen for diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes can affect the small blood vessels in the back of the eye leading to leakage of fluid, bleeding and scarring. When attending the office for a routine eye exam Dr. Anderson will dilate the eye and using special equipment and lenses will look inside the eye.

If there are findings of diabetic retinopathy she will likely order fluorescein angiogram testing or an OCT procedure to find out if you need treatment. The fluorescein angiogram test is done by injecting dye into your arm and photos are then taken of your eye to detect if fluid is leaking. If there is detection of leakage you will undergo laser treatment of the blood vessels.

Rapid changes in blood sugar can cause fluctuating vision to both eyes even if retinopathy is not present. You should have your eyes checked promptly if you have visual changes that affect one or both eyes lasting more than a few days and that are not associated with a change in blood sugar.